Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-05

young were now the chief performers,
while the old were the on lockers. There
was much freedom and hilarity, now that
the restraint of the pale faces was removed.
A group of young men began to
form upon one side of the open
space which received constant adj
ditions to its numbers. These were the
dancers. There was evidently question
as TO who should begin the festivities.
They pushed, and elbowed, and struggled
| together, Cycling like school boys, with a
| murmur of the vowel-laden dialect of the
Iroquois undistinguishable to white ears.
AT last the question was settled. The
young LIE Fort Sprang into the circle. His
agile figure was clothed in the gayest of
Indian finery suited to the son of great
chief Silver ornaments clashed upon his
arms and legs, and the snowy heron
plumes waved about his head, as he slowly
advanced towards the center and began
a circuit about the pole. In voice which
was all his life remarkable for sweetness,
but now had the readiness of early youth
he began his accompaniment. He sang of
the spring-time. OF falling showers and
sunshine. and a world set free from ice
and snow. Freely ran the river !;
young leaves and grasses smiled up to tine
sun. Amber Desmonde, who had been an
apt student of the Iroquois tongue during
| the long months of her sojourn with them,
understood the words, and smiled upon the
| singer. The youth saw it, and his clear,
dark cheek glowed with pleasure. The ap-
proval of the White Rose was eagerly
| sought by the youths Of the tribe.
But he was alone no longer. Another,
| and yet another, the young men glided into
the ring in quick succession, and each diff
farin ha of ba
corn The earth grew warm with SUM-
shine. Then the rains of the Great Spirit
broke the hard clods of the valley. The
soil was ready for the Manitau's best gift to
his red children. When the beech leaf
grew to the size OF squirrels foot. the
planting time had come. In the warm
days and nights of the month of leaves it
grew towards heaven. When its silken
plumes were unfurled, and the green blades
clashed together in the wind with the noise
of spears, they knew that its time was near,
and the young men and the maidens re-
joiced under the warm, moonlit skies.
Then was sketched, in vigorous words.
the feast of the ingathering. Not alone for
themselves did they reioice-the fuilness of
the corn was given them that they might
nourish the stranger who should claim
! their protection. Hospitality was sacred
duty. The Onondagas had not neglected
it. A graceful allusion to the fatherle>s
and widow in their midst was then made.
And yet another had come to them. He
was brave and strong, and they extended
TO him a brothers welcome. At these
words the young Seneca advanced step,
and the ring opened and inclosed him.
The corn song was ended, and another
measure was begun. This was the dance
in which the women were expected to join
The niece of Ondayuka led the maidens of
the tribe. From the airy lightness of her
movements her people had given her a
name Synonymous with Thistle down. As
she stood waiting, with an arch show of
not being able to decide which of the
young men she would choose for partner,
her dark beauty enhanced by graceful
pink robe fashioned for her by the skilful
fingers of her friend, Amber Desmonde ;
her slight figure on tiptoe with expectations
all eyes were turned upon her.
In another moment, with Q flight as airy
as her namesake, the Thistle-down had
touched the bronze shoulder of the Seneca.
His dark, proud features were lighted with
undlsguised satisfaction, and the two were
soon whirling together, around the ring
He quickened his step into measure suited
to hers, and the others having Joined their
partners, dancing began in earnest. AM
| light and surprise. They danced as if they
were one, so perfect was the accord of their
| motion. Outside of the circle was much
dscordance Of rude musical instruments
and harsh voices but she saw that the
pair in which she was most interested were
guided entirely by their own low, soft tones,
to which they kept time. Since the DAYS
when the haZel-eyed daughter OF Wambo-
jeag, the great Sachem of the Northwest,
| caused the son of a British baronet to for
sake country, family and fortune for love
of her, so fair on Indian maiden had not
been seen.
1t was near midnight when Ondayuka
gave the signal for closing and soon
silence and darkness prevailed in the
homes of the Onondagas.
The next day was a dull and langud
one at the CASTLE" the community feeling
the reaction from an event of unusual ex-
element Amber Desmonde, vainly try
ing to employ herself, unused over the
scenes of the past day, sitting in the neat
though rather bare apartment which was
the common family room, when Thistle
down abruptly entered and took her usual
place, on low seat, at the feet of her
friend. A cordial friendship existed be-
tween the two young women that was
pleasant and useful to both. In place of
the long Indian name of her friend, Am
Der called her Fay" which was equally
expressive. Fay was her teacher in Iro-
quois, and Amber, in return. impaired
to Fay many of the useful arts that
she had learned from the good Sisters.
Amber gave her visitor an eager welcome,
and began TO question her concerning such
parts of Yesterdays ceremonies as she had
not understood Fay replied huently
enough, sometimes in Indian and often in
her pretty broken English; but she looked
dull, coiorless, and out of spirits. Amber
praised her performance of the preceding
evening, but she turned away her face and
would not answer. Amber was puzzled.
The fact that Fay had noticed the open ad
miration of the Seneca for herself did not
occur to her. She would have thought that
rivalry with Fay was as remote from the
Indians mind as is was disagreeable to her
self But q shadow seemed to fall between
them, and as Madame made her appear
ance, fresh from her afternoon nap, Fay
glided away.
The elder lady was unusually compla-
cent. She had much to say of yesterdays
events. She was mostly interested in the
white visitors at the feast, none OF whom
had escaped the searching glance of her
keen black eyes, and she now passed them
in review, touching ell their peculiarities
with sharp buf amusing comments, and
inimitabe French drollery, until Amber
laughed heartily, glad to see her stepmother
in such gay spirits. At last, with sudden
change Of subject, the madame said:
/ talked much with our good Ondayuka
after those people were gone. He is, o, so
kind He said that the war is really begun,
and none can say how or when it will end.
Detroit is great military post, and much
exposed to the enemy, aud it would not be
safe tor Us to go there. He will keep US
| here, and be our father while the war lasts.
The good chief That was how he said il"
" Not 90 home to Detroit " cried Amber,
in startled tone.
why should we?" replied madame.
We are well off; here we are protected
and hororcd."
You know" said Amber why l can
not stay. You know my promise, and that
my father approved"
docs the Lieutenant keep his promise ~
asked madame.
That have failed to receive his letter
is true said the daughter. That he has
written, have never doubted. All will be
| explained when we meet
Child you shall live no longer in your
fools paradise Lieutenant Ainslie is
here. in the camp on the meadows"
Amber started visibly, but Der voice was
steady as she replied;
Then he does not know that THAT
yya a re here y